Reacting to reports that Pato upset senior teammates with his backchat during Sunday's win at Bologna, Polish legend Boniek said: "Pato is a phenomenon, he is a player who is growing in terms of physique as well as technique.

"I do not think there is an issue with him. Pippo Inzaghi ignored him twice and hit the keeper, Pato has done well to get angry. If Pippo had done that to me, I would have laid hands on him (laughs)!

"Pato is worth the bother, he is gradually increasing his influence within the team and feels he can become important for this Milan. For him there must be no hierarchies."